The $130,000 Bonus: Using the 2026 HST Rebate for Your Custom Build

If you are breaking ground on a custom home in Ontario this year, you’ve probably had some long conversations with your builder about budget constraints. However, the financial landscape just shifted massively in your favour.

The Ontario and federal governments recently announced a massive, temporary expansion to the HST housing rules. For a one-year window starting April 1, 2026, there is effectively no HST on new homes for all eligible buyers. This isn't just for first-time buyers; it applies to anyone building a primary residence.

If you're building a home in Oakville, Peel Region, Waterloo, or King Township, this policy change can hand you back up to $130,000. Here is how you can use that unexpected budget to future-proof your forever home.

Don't Let the Savings Disappear

When a massive tax break hits, it is incredibly easy for that money to quietly get swallowed up by standard construction overages or your builder's bottom line. You have to be strategic.

The smartest move you can make is taking that $130,000 and reinvesting it into the physical equity and long-term usability of the house. Adding a residential elevator during the framing stage is the perfect play. Doing it now means you avoid the massive hassle and premium costs of retrofitting an elevator shaft ten years down the road.

Funding the Aurora MRL

By allocating a portion of your HST rebate toward vertical mobility, you can comfortably afford the Sabre Aurora Home Elevator without touching your original out-of-pocket budget.

The Aurora is the top choice for modern Ontario infills and custom builds. Because it is a Machine-Room-Less (MRL) system, it doesn't eat up your valuable floor plan with a bulky hydraulic tank room. More importantly, it runs on a Hybrid Battery Drive. It stays plugged into a standard 120V outlet to keep its batteries charged, meaning if a massive summer storm knocks out the power grid in Peel Region, your elevator will continue to run flawlessly for up to 25 continuous cycles.

Stacking Your Credits

Keep in mind, the HST rebate is just the start. If you are a senior or qualify for the Disability Tax Credit, you can also apply the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC) to the elevator installation, getting an additional $3,000 back on your taxes.

Before you finalize your blueprints, use our Instant Price Estimator to see exactly how an Aurora elevator fits into your newly expanded budget.

Frequently Asked Questions: The HST Rebate & Home Elevators

How much can I save with the 2026 HST New Housing Rebate? You can save the full 13% HST on your new home build, up to a maximum cap of $130,000. This maximum rebate applies to homes valued up to $1.5 million.

What are the dates for the 2026 HST rebate? To qualify, your agreement of purchase and sale must be signed between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.

Is a home elevator considered a good investment for resale value? Absolutely. In luxury Ontario real estate markets, a professionally installed residential elevator removes the "stair barrier" for aging buyers, often adding up to a 10% premium to your home’s resale value.

Does the Sabre Aurora elevator require a large mechanical room? No. The Aurora is a Machine-Room-Less (MRL) elevator. The entire drive system is housed cleanly within the elevator shaft itself, preserving your home's square footage.